Posted on 10/22/2006 9:24:45 PM PDT by thackney
Its new engine is clean and efficient but still could be a tough sell in America
Honda Motor Co. (HMC) has long sought to prove it's the greenest of automakers. In 1999 the company became the first major car manufacturer to launch a hybrid in the U.S., the Insight, and it has been a leader in developing fuel-efficient -- and peppy -- engines. But in recent years, archrival Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) has stolen the green mantle from Honda with its popular Prius and other hybrids.
Now Honda is trying to take it back. Its technology of choice: the stinky old diesel engine. Or make that a not-so-stinky new diesel. By 2009, Honda plans to sell "clean diesels" in the U.S. These cars will likely go some 30% farther per gallon than gasoline models. The 2.2CTDi diesel-powered Honda Civic, sold now in Britain, delivers 43 miles per gallon in town and 55.4 mpg in combined city-highway driving. The hybrid Civic manages only 50 mpg in combined driving, while a gas Civic averages 33 mpg. "We're leading the way to cleaner diesel engines," says Honda Chief Executive Takeo Fukui.
That effort will get a boost from the U.S. introduction of a cleaner diesel fuel this fall. The new government-mandated blend has 15 parts per million of sulfur, down from 500. Honda's engines have a catalytic converter that filters out enough nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions to meet California's new standards -- the most stringent in the nation -- due to come into effect in the state next year and nationwide in 2009. Unlike other diesels that will meet California's standards, such as a Mercedes-Benz (DCX ) BlueTec expected to go on sale in late 2007, Honda's doesn't require a separate tank of urea,...
(Excerpt) Read more at businessweek.com ...
In 1983 GM make a car with a gas engine that got 100 m.p.g. but did not produce it because of al of the safety equipment required it would not get the same m.p.g see last months issue of HotRod magazine.
GM and Ford already make a small, efficient diesel.
Ford's is a 50 mpg diesal version of the Focus that they ONLY market in Europe. GM has a 75 mpg diesel car called the Opal, I believe, but again is marketed only in Europe.
"We're leading the way to cleaner diesel engines,""
But maybe not clean enough. What about the particulates (soot)?
But none of these are currently being offered for the 2007 light trucks.
I'm assuming that it takes similar energy and effort to grow soybeans as it does to grow corn. But I really don't know.
I've known people who have run used cooking oil in diesel motors, which seems like it could provide a good market. A family friend is in pulp/paper, and said that they are looking at marketing bio-diesels made from pulp & paper waste, in addition to slaughter house wastes too. Be interesting to watch those markets develop.
I think making biodiesel from waste is smart. Solves two problems at the same time. There are some companies beginning to take these wastes and sell the biodiesel commercially.
Not for the new 2007 models. Maybe later but not yet.
Particulate Matter, NOX and others are also being significantly reduced. Which is part of the reason only Mercedes Benz at this time has put together an engine that passes all the requirements.
http://www.dieselnet.com/standards/us/light.html
Audi made it a clean sweep of the LMP1 class of the American Le Mans Series ... Audi won all 10 ALMS races this season ... the R10 TDIs, which combined to go 7 for 7 in the ALMS, plus a victory in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, were the stars of the series. What made them stand out was that they were powered by diesel technology that could be coming to auto showrooms in the next few years.
"Particulate Matter, NOX and others are also being significantly reduced."
Reduced. Why switch to that from engines that don't produce any particulates?
"Ford and GM to respond with heavier cars.
Uglier, too."
Uglier than Toyotas?
Aye. From coal. And it's clean (as well as available in the U.S. rather than needing to import it from the Middle East).
I drove an Opal station wagon (diesel) through Europe 6 years ago. I figured that we got around 42 miles per gallon. Diesel was $5.00 per gallon at the time, so at 42 mpg, we found it was a cheap way to travel on our own.
Turning to biodiesel and/or ethanol will likely result in higher food prices and/or increased food imports, since the two uses would be competing for the same farm land.
Also, what's the economic productivity per acre when compared with petroleum?
For economy and efficient use of resources. Gasoline engines produce pollution as well. I don't think you understand just how far emissions are reduced with the new regulations.
This guy agrees with you.
World Oil Editorial Comment {Ethanol from food bad}
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1717906/posts
Posted on 10/11/2006
Diesel Bump.
I own a 2000 VW Jetta TDI. Gets something like 47MPG highway and around 40MPG city.
Currnet mileage at 83.5K I expect to get at least 250K out of it before buying a new one.
yeah, the blutec that they've been working up in the benz cars.
"Why switch to that from engines that don't produce any particulates?
For economy and efficient use of resources. Gasoline engines produce pollution as well. I don't think you understand just how far emissions are reduced with the new regulations."
But they still add soot to the air I breathe.
LOL
What magic engine that doesn't produce any particulates are you talking about?
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